Biodiversity and LVMH: a sustained commitment
LVMH
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The theme of the 2015 edition of Green Week (June 3-5), the major annual conference on European environment policy, is “nature and biodiversity.
The wealth of biodiversity is absolutely indispensable to the activities of LVMH and its brands, which is why the Group has long made preserving them a top priority. This commitment extends well beyond simple regulatory compliance.
Speaking on the eve of the opening of Green Week 2015, Karmenu Vella, European Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, said: “The LVMH Group and its Maisons have strong expertise and a proven track record in the field of biodiversity. I am happy to welcome them again at Green Week, which reflects LVMH’s long-term commitment to the protection of the environment.”
A longstanding commitment to preserving biodiversity
For more than 20 years, LVMH has worked to responsibly manage the impact of its businesses on biodiversity, making long-term investments to protect and preserve this invaluable heritage. LVMH companies are all keenly aware of the importance of this issue and pursue an array of initiatives such as developing ethno-botany, sustainable viticulture and eco-design, establishing sustainable procurement channels, as well as funding programs to protect endangered species and help restore fragile ecosystems.
In conjunction with its own efforts, LVMH actively contributes to biodiversity initiatives led by governments, professionals in its different business sectors, NGOs, academics and the scientific community. The Group has provided support for the French Foundation for Research on Biodiversity (FRB) for the past six years, becoming the first private sector enterprise to hold a seat on the board in 2014. LVMH is also a member of the Responsible Ecosystems Sourcing Platform (RESP), which brings together luxury industry stakeholders to develop and promote sustainable practices for the sourcing of raw materials and natural resources. In addition, LVMH takes part in the EU Business and Biodiversity Platform.
A recognized commitment to biodiversity
LVMH’s strong engagement with this issue led to the Group’s endorsement of the 2011-2020 French National Strategy for Biodiversity, the French component of the global 2011-2020 Plan for Biodiversity. The program for “improving the footprint of LVMH activities on biodiversity with the goal of having a positive impact on biodiversity” was presented at the very first session in 2012, and was awarded the “National Biodiversity Strategy” label. This project leverages the Group’s broad experience by integrating and formalizing two decades of tangible initiatives, spurring fresh momentum for proactive policies and consolidating the overall consistency of actions.
Several studies since the beginning of 2015 have saluted LVMH’s efforts to preserve biodiversity. The Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) has designated LVMH as the leader in the luxury sector for protection of biodiversity, while the Empreinte Biodiversité (Biodiversity Footprint) platform named LVMH the leading French blue chip company in addressing these issues.
Starting June 4 we will be spotlighting initiatives to preserve biodiversity at three LVMH Houses: Guerlain and its Orchidarium, Loro Piana and wool, and Hennessy’s support for research into wood diseases.